This past week, we've had the honor of naming two of our local citizens as Hometown Heroes, a trend we hope continues. » Read More

When relationships go bad, an early warning sign is that one side doesn't really hear what the other is saying. That's certainly the case today in the relationship between voters and America's political class. » Read More

Covington and Newton County continue to gain traction as a premiere filming spot, with local tourism officials going so far as to give us the title "Hollywood of the South." » Read More

When you are a mother, you are never really alone in your thoughts. A mother always has to think twice, once for herself and once for her child - Sophia Loren, Women and Beauty » Read More

What a teacher writes on the blackboard of life can never be erased. -Unknown Author » Read More

In these challenging financial times, this newspaper was surprised to see a recent article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting four of our state college presidents will receive substantial pay raises. » Read More

Dear Editor: FaithWorks has reached a milestone in its service to the community. As of the end of March, FaithWorks has served over 15,000 individuals in Newton County. We thank our sponsoring churches, area businesses, individuals and organizations for their support that has allowed us to provide mortgage/rental and utility assistance to our neighbors in need. We are especially grateful to our volunteers who give their time and talents to benefit others. » Read More

Dear Editor: This is a personal opinion, not one representing the Lions Club. » Read More

It was completely dark under my blindfold. A voice I didn't know told me to take the arm offered by another person whom I happened to know but couldn't see. He told me he was leading me through an open door, down a corridor, into a meeting hall and to a table where I gripped the edge until my guide placed a chair beneath me and invited me to sit. I could hear conversations echoing ... » Read More

Each generation is always looking to the next wondering who will step up to become the leaders of tomorrow. And each generation looks at its prospective successors with trepidation, questioning whether they'll be hard working, diligent and talented enough to forge ahead. We hope the newly created Youth Leadership Institute will help ease those concerns and provide the leaders and community servants we need to run our businesses, government and nonprofits. » Read More

Local officials worked for years to bring a Georgia Perimeter College campus to Newton County, and the college is expected to be a center of growth for eastern Newton County for years to come. Just a few months ago President Anthony Tricoli spoke glowingly about our campus at the Covington-Newton County Chamber of Commerce's annual meeting and mentioned significant plans for future expansion. » Read More

Just when my life seemed to have lost all meaning, up jumps our Ambassador to Outer Space Cynthia McKinney, who has announced her intentions to run for Congress as a member of the Green Party this fall in Georgia's 4th District. This is quite a comedown for Miss Moonbeam, who was the Green Party's candidate for president in 2008. But incumbent Democratic Rep. Hank Johnson has impressive space cadet credentials himself. In 2010, Johnson expressed ... » Read More

This week is teacher appreciation week. If you don't have children in school, you probably haven't heard of it. If you do, you have probably been asked to send some small token to school with your children for their teachers. I'm all for teacher appreciation. But they need more than a thank you. According to the article "Public Education Faces a Crisis in Teacher Retention" published in 2005 on Edutopia, of the 200,000 new teachers hired each year, 22,000 quit after one year. » Read More

I'm pleased to report that our household has a new Minister of Electricity! Yes, you read that correctly. Our youngest son is the new Minister of Electricity for the McCoy family. You see - we're just like one of those third-world dictatorships. We have ministerial positions in the household, and we grant them exclusively to our family members. Except for the military uniforms, mirrored sunglasses, and overbearing Mercedes limos, we're no different from any other ... » Read More

In case you haven't noticed, Roger "The Rocket" Clemens is on trial for lying to Congress about whether or not he used performance enhancing drugs and Human Growth Hormone during his illustrious baseball career. When testifying before Congress about steroid use, Clemens vehemently denied using such substances, despite claims by a teammate that Clemens confessed to him he did use human fuel additives. Clemens' response was that his teammate "misremembered" their conversation. » Read More

Since becoming a regular columnist, I've avoided writing about trails or bicycles. I get type-cast as an advocate, and there are so many other great topics. But, it's Bike Month, so I can't resist reflecting on the wonders of two-wheeled, self-propelled transportation. The League of American Bicyclists declared May National Bike Month in 1956 and they've celebrated for 55 years. Today, at 3 p.m. on the square, Mayor Ronnie Johnston will proclaim May 2012 Bike ... » Read More

Dear Editor: The Society of SVDP would like to thank all who had a hand in making the Silent Auction and Wine Tasting on April 27, a success. We had a profound outpouring of generously donated items both local and beyond. All of the profit will go to the Society which is a nonprofit organization. Fox Vineyards (wine and Fox Vineyard glasses), Sherry Odum (catered the event), Michael Frederick (music), are so much appreciated. We ... » Read More

Dear Editor: I, Shannon Black, come forward to identify myself as "MsLoy" and "KBeet" named in a civil action on free speech web comments. I do not agree with the attack on free speech, but by coming out I share a voice for employees under attack who need their jobs. While I removed my child from NCSS last year, I maintain close internal contacts and will continue to share comments with the public through the ... » Read More

One hundred years ago, the European powers were hurtling down a path leading to World War I. Trench warfare became the dominant image of that war, as both sides dug in and the battle lines barely moved. Many called it the "War to End All Wars," but in the end it merely set the stage for World War II. Election 2012 is shaping up to be the political equivalent of trench warfare that fails to resolve anything. » Read More

While we believe strongly in the value of the prostitution story we ran a week ago, we realize our readers don't always agree with us. That's not a bad thing. The newspaper is supposed to be a forum for public dialogue, and we know that being regularly challenged makes us look more closely at ourselves and the role we play in the community. We hope the dialogue that occurs in these pages allows you to do the same. » Read More

Last Sunday we ran a major story about the alleged prostitution occurring at two spas in our community. We, like you, have heard rumors about prostitution for years, but we didn't run the story before because of the possibility of undercover police investigations. As you can read in our story, the police are having difficulty undertaking such investigations and are looking to work with the public. » Read More

Dear Editor: What a shame! A small town paper advertising prostitution with a large, attention-getting provocative figure of a prostitute on the front page of your Sunday edition. » Read More

When the Newton County Leadership Collaborative kicked off a series of five meetings focused on letting people know what Newton County had to offer, we have to admit we thought this major undertaking was going to be a waste of time and effort that would only attract people who were already involved. » Read More

Providing the very best education to our children and preparing them to lead our nation and community in the years to come needs to be a top priority of the citizens and current leaders of Newton County. » Read More